Letter: Politicians should follow lead of first president

May 17, 2013

Most of us know the story of George Washington and the cherry tree. It was told to us around the time of the once-celebrated George Washington’s birthday national holiday, before some felt we’d better not hurt other people’s feelings. The story, for those unfortunate to not have experienced that great part of America, was about telling the truth. The model was a standard of integrity where it is said George said to his father: “I can not tell a lie.”

Those are certainly days gone by!

A while ago, an oil tanker ran aground in Alaska. The ship, the Exxon Valdez, broke open and spilled oil. It was called an ecological disaster, much like the spill in the Gulf. The captain of the Exxon Valdez was asleep. One of his subordinates was at the helm at the time. By today’s standards, the captain had “every right” to blame the disaster on his subordinate. But, clearly as a man of integrity, he took full blame and responsibility. Like George Washington, he could not tell a lie.

However, today is different. In my 66 years, having grown up in Washington, D.C., I’ve never seen so many in charge tell so many lies and blame so much under their watch on anything and everyone else. I’m sick and tired of it. What would George say? And I don’t mean W. The truth has become “politically incorrect.” And it almost seems irrelevant to our once proud industry of journalism, and certainly of Washington politicians.